Vitla (ವಿಟ್ಲ) also Vittal is a town in
Bantwal taluk
Bantwal taluk is a taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. The headquarters is the town of Bantwal
Bantwal () is a taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. It is located East of Mangalore city center. BC Road-Kaikamba of Bantwal ...
of
Dakshina Kannada
Dakshina Kannada district is a district of Karnataka state in India, with its headquarters in the coastal city of Mangalore. It is part of the larger Tulu Nadu region. The district covers an area nestled in between the Western Ghats to its east ...
district, India, around 18 km from
Bantwal
Bantwal () is a taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. It is located East of Mangalore city center. BC Road-Kaikamba of Bantwal is one of the fastest developing areas in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
Along with BC ...
in Bantwal Taluk. It is also 14 km from
Puttur and 40 km from
Mangalore
Mangalore (), officially known as Mangaluru, is a major port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bangalore, the state capital, 20 km north of Karnataka–Ker ...
. Vitla was an assembly constituency of
Karnataka Legislative Assembly
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral legislature of the Indian state of Karnataka. Karnataka is one of the six states in India where the state legislature is bicameral, comprising two houses. The two houses ar ...
, but discontinued from 2008 elections. Agriculture is the main occupation of people in and around Vitla town.
Arecanut,
cocoa
Cocoa may refer to:
Chocolate
* Chocolate
* ''Theobroma cacao'', the cocoa tree
* Cocoa bean, seed of ''Theobroma cacao''
* Chocolate liquor, or cocoa liquor, pure, liquid chocolate extracted from the cocoa bean, including both cocoa butter and ...
,
pepper
Pepper or peppers may refer to:
Food and spice
* Piperaceae or the pepper family, a large family of flowering plant
** Black pepper
* ''Capsicum'' or pepper, a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae
** Bell pepper
** Chili ...
,
Cashew
The cashew tree (''Anacardium occidentale'') is a tropical evergreen tree native to South America in the genus ''Anacardium'' that produces the cashew seed and the cashew apple accessory fruit. The tree can grow as tall as , but the dwarf cult ...
and
coconut
The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family ( Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the ...
are grown here.
There is a regional station of Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) which conducts research on
areca
''Areca'' is a genus of 51 species of palms in the family Arecaceae, found in humid tropical forests from the islands of the Philippines, Malaysia and India, across Southeast Asia to Melanesia. The generic name ''Areca'' is derived from a name u ...
nuts, an important commercial crop in the area. It also researches cocoa growing, including its production, protection and increasing
drought resistance
Drought tolerance is the ability to which a plant maintains its biomass production during arid or drought conditions. Some plants are naturally adapted to dry conditions'','' surviving with protection mechanisms such as desiccation tolerance, detox ...
.
Formerly ruled by the Vittala Arasas or kings belonging to the Domba Heggade Dynasty, the head of the dynasty, even today, plays a dominant role in the religious ceremonies of 16 temples. One can see the palace in the outskirts of Vittla. Standing in the middle of the vast greenery, it houses members of the dynasty.
The town is known for the Panchaligeshwara Temple.
Vitla is surrounded by a dense forest called Kalenjimale. It is believed that
Bakasura
Bakasura ( sa, बकासुर, ), also rendered Baka or kuaishwa, is a rakshasa featured in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The rakshasa lives in a forest near the town of Ekachakrapura. In exchange for protecting the kingdom from invaders, he ...
lived in this forest. A cave still exists in the forest which is supposed to have been the demon's resting ground.
Vitla is placed on a junction of four roads connecting Puttur, Kasargod, Mangalore and Saletur.
Alike educational institutions is situated six kilometers from the city. The institution is one of the oldest in India. Puttaparthi Sai Baba voluntary super specialty hospital is also located in Alike.
History
This little town at the foot of the Western Ghats is one of the richest areca growing areas in the country. It is also known for its Panchalingeshwara temple. Hidden from the public glare so far, the temple had a limited patronage from both the government and the devotees but its glorious past relates to the Mahabharata.
It is said the five Shiva Lingams at the temple were consecrated by the Pandavas. The undated shilashasanas (rock inscriptions) found on the premises of the temple bear testimony to this. An inscription of 1894 speaks about the pension paid to the hereditary trustees belonging to "Doddamarasugalu" by the government.
The Pancha Lingams are different in size resembling the Pandavas' physic. The three-storey temple is similar in structure to those built in Madhur (Ganapathy), Adoor, Kavu and Kaniyaru. They all belonged to the Mayippady royal family of Kumble (which is now in
Kasaragod district
Kasaragod ( and Malayalam language, Malayalam: , English language, English: ''Kassergode'', Tulu language, Tulu: ''Kasrod'', Arabic language, Arabic: ''Harkwillia'') is one of the 14 List of districts of Kerala, districts in the southern Indi ...
of
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
).
The sthalapurana says that it belonged to the time of the Pandavas or even earlier as the Pandavas had only performed "prathisthe" of the Pancha Lingams during their "Agnatavasa".
To support the sthalapurana, the geographical features mentioned in the "Upa Katha" of "Bakasura Vadhe" in the Aranya Kanda of the Mahabharata can be seen on the periphery of the temple. The "Gami" where Bakasura lived is on a hillock close to the town. People still visit the place where Bhima vanquished Bakasura.
There are three other places, Netthare Kere (puddle of blood), "Chipparu" where Bakasura's head was found and "Kayyaru" where the hands of the demon were found.
The Vittal Palace – in the present Bantwal taluk – is one among those several monuments, which have not been accorded their due place. History speaks of the Vittal king Achuta Heggade who was overhauled by Hyder Ali. The former was supported by the British and was residing in Talacheri.
Achuta would visit Vittal occasionally to regroup his men and fight Hyder Ali. For this, he had to lose his life. Hyder Ali had him hanged to death. His palace in Vittal is on a land with a large magnificent stone-carved door. The ancient foundation has round towers and even had a stable.
Ravivarma Narasimha Domba Heggade, the successor of Achuta Heggade kindled the sparks for the first revolt against the British who were ruling coastal Karnataka after the death of Tipu. But Domba Heggade was hanged by the British.
The foreigners took possession of all that Vittal Heggade owned, except the personal property and wealth. In return, the Englishmen paid an annual royalty.
The descendants of the royal family still live in the palace. In 1783, the family went on a pilgrimage to Kashi and in memory of it set up a Kashi Math.
Ravivarma Narasimha Domba Heggade built a new palace within the premises of the old one between 1790 and 1800. He along with his son-in-law won back the Vittal kingdom and ruled to the end of his life.
The palace today is in a state of decay, requiring considerable renovation if this heritage building is not to be lost.
Geography
The soil is very fertile as Vitla is located on the foothills of
Western Ghats, and rivers flow carrying along the rich minerals from the inland, thus making it a perfect place for agriculture. Vitla is surrounded by hills covered in native vegetation, rocks & hills, the geography also includes flat lands used for agriculture of
Areca
''Areca'' is a genus of 51 species of palms in the family Arecaceae, found in humid tropical forests from the islands of the Philippines, Malaysia and India, across Southeast Asia to Melanesia. The generic name ''Areca'' is derived from a name u ...
,
rubber
Rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, ''caucho'', or ''caoutchouc'', as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. Thailand, Malaysia, and ...
,
coconut
The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family ( Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the ...
&
rice
Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima
''Oryza glaberrima'', commonly known as African rice, is one of the two domesticated rice species. It was first domesticated and grown i ...
fields. The prominent hills are found via Mangaluru road in a place called Kelinja and Kodapadav. Kalenjimale Forest is spread across the region from Vitla Town to Kanyana & from Ukkuda to Salethur. There is a river beside Kalenjimale that finally flows into the
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea ( ar, اَلْبَحرْ ٱلْعَرَبِيُّ, Al-Bahr al-ˁArabī) is a region of the northern Indian Ocean bounded on the north by Pakistan, Iran and the Gulf of Oman, on the west by the Gulf of Aden, Guardafui Channel ...
, the river is seasonal, will be dry during the summer and will be overflowing during peak monsoon season. The best of views of Kalenjimale can be found on the left side beside Vitla-Salethur road. And there are few flat lands between the forests which has the clearest of night skies in Bantwal Taluk, It can be best visible after pre-monsoon showers when the air is clean and fresh. On a clear day, the Kundremukh peak can also be visible from the hills of Kanyana.
Proposal for Vitla Taluk
Even though Vitla qualifies all the criteria to be a separate
Taluk
A tehsil (, also known as tahsil, taluka, or taluk) is a local unit of administrative division in some countries of South Asia. It is a subdistrict of the area within a district including the designated populated place that serves as its administr ...
, Vitla is still a part of Bantwal
Taluk
A tehsil (, also known as tahsil, taluka, or taluk) is a local unit of administrative division in some countries of South Asia. It is a subdistrict of the area within a district including the designated populated place that serves as its administr ...
. Constant effort has been made from the people of Vitla since 30 years for Vitla to gain
Taluk
A tehsil (, also known as tahsil, taluka, or taluk) is a local unit of administrative division in some countries of South Asia. It is a subdistrict of the area within a district including the designated populated place that serves as its administr ...
status. People of Vitla are hopeful that somewhere in the near future, Vitla will be granted
Taluk
A tehsil (, also known as tahsil, taluka, or taluk) is a local unit of administrative division in some countries of South Asia. It is a subdistrict of the area within a district including the designated populated place that serves as its administr ...
status.
Agriculture
Agriculture plays a major role in the life and economy of Vitla, the prominent crops grown here are
Arecanut,
Paddy
Paddy may refer to:
People
*Paddy (given name), a list of people with the given name or nickname
*An List of ethnic slurs#P, ethnic slur for an Irishman
Birds
*Paddy (pigeon), a Second World War carrier pigeon
*Snowy sheathbill or paddy, a bird ...
,
cocoa
Cocoa may refer to:
Chocolate
* Chocolate
* ''Theobroma cacao'', the cocoa tree
* Cocoa bean, seed of ''Theobroma cacao''
* Chocolate liquor, or cocoa liquor, pure, liquid chocolate extracted from the cocoa bean, including both cocoa butter and ...
,
Cashew
The cashew tree (''Anacardium occidentale'') is a tropical evergreen tree native to South America in the genus ''Anacardium'' that produces the cashew seed and the cashew apple accessory fruit. The tree can grow as tall as , but the dwarf cult ...
,
Coconut
The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family ( Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the ...
,
pepper
Pepper or peppers may refer to:
Food and spice
* Piperaceae or the pepper family, a large family of flowering plant
** Black pepper
* ''Capsicum'' or pepper, a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae
** Bell pepper
** Chili ...
&
Rubber
Rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, ''caucho'', or ''caoutchouc'', as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. Thailand, Malaysia, and ...
. It is normal to see cattle in most of the houses who grow crops. Cow, goats, rooster & hens are domesticated. Even though cock fighting is prohibited, during certain ceremony in the temple, it is allowed under prior permission. Abundant water from rain & ground, fertile soil & climate is responsible for agriculture to thrive here.
Flora and fauna
The place is surrounded by Kalenjimale forest with an abundant supply of water from the rivers, which makes it a breeding ground for life with rich flora and fauna surrounding the town. Agriculture plays a prominent role in the life of the people living in Vitla, thus the area is surrounded by vast Areca plantations, making it a perfect habitat for various fauna life to flourish. Even though the population has been increasing, the forests and natural habitats are intact due to the strict government rule against deforestation. The wild animals found include Indian wild Dog (
Dhole
The dhole (''Cuon alpinus''; ) is a canid native to Central, South, East and Southeast Asia. Other English names for the species include Asian wild dog, Asiatic wild dog, Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red dog, red wolf, and mountain wolf. It ...
),Wroughton's,
Wild Boar
The wild boar (''Sus scrofa''), also known as the wild swine, common wild pig, Eurasian wild pig, or simply wild pig, is a suid native to much of Eurasia and North Africa, and has been introduced to the Americas and Oceania. The species is ...
,
Bonnet macaque
The bonnet macaque (''Macaca radiata''), also known as zati,Chambers English Dictionary is a species of macaque endemic to southern India. Its distribution is limited by the Indian Ocean on three sides and the Godavari and Tapti Rivers, along wi ...
,
Indian rock python
The Indian python (''Python molurus'') is a large python species native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is also known by the common names black-tailed python, Indian rock python, and Asian r ...
,
Russell's viper
Russell's viper (''Daboia russelii''), is a venomous snake in the family Viperidae native to the Indian subcontinent and one of the big four snakes in India. It was described in 1797 by George Shaw and Frederick Polydore Nodder, and named afte ...
,
Asian palm civet
The Asian palm civet (''Paradoxurus hermaphroditus''), also called common palm civet, toddy cat and musang, is a viverrid native to South and Southeast Asia. Since 2008, it is IUCN Red Listed as Least Concern as it accommodates to a broad range ...
,
Bengal fox
The Bengal fox (''Vulpes bengalensis''), also known as the Indian fox, is a fox endemic to the Indian subcontinent from the Himalayan foothills and Terai of Nepal through southern India, and from southern and eastern Pakistan to eastern India and ...
and few others. The Kalenjimale forest is known for Sandalwood plantations, which are presently growing and are protected by the Karnataka Forest Department. The flora found is very diverse and rich, the notable trees are
Indian Mahogany,
Polyalthia longifolia
''Monoon longifolium'', the false ashoka, also commonly known by its synonym ''Polyalthia longifolia'', is an Asian small tree species in the family Annonaceae. It is native to southern India and Sri Lanka, but has been widely introduced els ...
,
Banyan Tree
A banyan, also spelled "banian", is a fig that develops accessory trunks from adventitious prop roots, allowing the tree to spread outwards indefinitely. This distinguishes banyans from other trees with a strangler habit that begin life as a ...
,
Sandlewood
Sandalwood is a class of woods from trees in the genus ''Santalum''. The woods are heavy, yellow, and fine-grained, and, unlike many other aromatic woods, they retain their fragrance for decades. Sandalwood oil is extracted from the woods for us ...
tree,
Ficus religiosa
''Ficus religiosa'' or sacred fig is a species of Ficus, fig native to the Indian subcontinent and Indochina that belongs to Moraceae, the fig or mulberry family. It is also known as the bodhi tree, pippala tree, peepul tree, peepal tree, pipa ...
& many more.
Kalenjimale
Adjacent to the town, there is a coastal moist forest known as Kalenjimale. This forest has prominence in ancient Hindu mythology. The forest stretches from Ukkuda to Anekallu, covered in the dense canopy and few flatlands in the center & top. There are roads leading into the heart of the forest used by the forest officials, but these roads not accessible as it used rarely. The river flows beside the forest, thus keeping the nutrient cycle going. The forest is accessible with various roads connecting towns nearby. Since the forest status is reserved and protected under law, this pristine wilderness is still intact. Even though the trees are cut down and replaced by Earleaf Acacia,
Acacia auriculiformis
''Acacia auriculiformis'', commonly known as auri, earleaf acacia, earpod wattle, northern black wattle, Papuan wattle, and tan wattle, akashmoni in Bengali, is a fast-growing, crooked, gnarly tree in the family Fabaceae. It is native to Australi ...
, lot of work is being done on reversing the damage done to this ecosystem. The diverse bird activities during the seasons attract photographers and nature enthusiasts.
Climate
As this place is in between the coast and the Western ghats, this place is known to humid summer and heavy rainfalls, the temperature varies from 21 degree Celsius to 33 degree Celsius. The summer starts from mid of February and lasts until June. Pre-monsoon showers or mango showers are seen from mid May, and the rainy season usually lasts until September. The area revives an average annual rainfall of 500 mm. From November to February is the winter, when temperatures are usually between 21 and 26 degree Celsius.
Kotikere
Kotikere is swimming pool, which was built and used by the Royal family of Vitla which is now used by the public. Swimming training and competitions are conducted here. The spring water from the quarry and other sources fill the pool and water overflows most of the time, thus the pool is maintained clean naturally.
Education
Some of schools and colleges in and around Vitla.
![Vittal Jaycees English Medium School in Vitla](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Vittal_Jaycees_English_Medium_School_in_Vitla.png)
* Govt Model Higher Primary School, Vittal
* Vittal Pre-University College
* Vittal Girls' High School, Vittal
* Vittal Jaycees English Medium School, Basavanagudi, Vitla
* St. Rita Higher Prymary School Church Road, Vittal
* Horizon Public School Meginapete Vittal
* Sri Sathya Sai Primary School-Vidya Kuteera Alike
* Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva High School-Bala Kuteera Alike
* Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Vidya Kendra Alike
* Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva PU College-Sathya Sai Vihara Alike
* Govt. Pre University College Kanyana
* Sri Devi High School Punacha – 574243
* Sri Rama High School Kalladka
* Sri Krishna Vidyodhaya Higher Primary School – Kanathadka
* Govt Arts and Commerce degree college, Vittal
* Ukkuda Public School, Ukkuda, Vitla
Demographics & People of Vitla
According to the 2011 census report, Hindus form the largest religious group in Vittla ( 11220 that is 63.69% of the town population). The number of Muslims is 5555 (31.53% of the taluk population) and the number of Christians in the taluk is 828 (4.70%) The people of Vitla are known for their hospitality & generosity.
[?]
Transportation
There is a separate KSRTC bus stand and private bus stand. Vittal is directly connected through bus to Manglore, Puttur, Kasargod, Manjeshwar, Uppala, Hosangady, Salettur, B C Road, Kalladka, Kabaka, Kanyana, Perla, Badiadka, Panaje, Odiyoor, Anekal, Mudipu, Thokkotu, Derlakatte, Adyanadka, Saradka, Boluvar and many other small places. It is the biggest town in Bantwal Taluk, next to Kalladka. And MALABAR buses go through the city Vittal towards Kasaragod to Puttur.
Landmarks
The institutions of Sri Satya Sai Baba such as SSSLSVK, PU college and Balakuteera are located in Alike, around 7 km from Vittal. There is a
KSRTC
KSRTC may refer to:
* Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
* Kerala State Road Transport Corporation
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is a state-owned road transport corporation in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one o ...
Rajahamsa bus from Alike to Bangalore via Vittal. Central Plantation Corps Research Institute (CPCRI) Regional Station is located in Vittal-Puttur Road around 3 km from Vittal Bus Stand.
Nearby places
* Peruvai
* Manila
*
Mangalore
Mangalore (), officially known as Mangaluru, is a major port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bangalore, the state capital, 20 km north of Karnataka–Ker ...
*
Kasaragod
Kasaragod () is a municipal town and administrative headquarters of Kasaragod district in the state of Kerala, India. Established in 1966, Kasaragod was the first municipal town in the district. It is the northernmost district of Kerala and ...
*
Uppala
Uppala is a town and Headquarters of Manjeshwaram Taluk in Kasaragod district, Kerala, India. It is geographically located midway from Kasaragod to Mangalore. Easy geographical access and lack of major towns nearby are the key reasons for the ...
*
Puttur
*
Bantwal
Bantwal () is a taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. It is located East of Mangalore city center. BC Road-Kaikamba of Bantwal is one of the fastest developing areas in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
Along with BC ...
*
Alike
*
Perla
Perla may refer to:
Places
*Perla, Arkansas, a town in the United States
*Perla, Kasaragod, a village in Kerala
*Perła, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, a village in Poland
*Perla gas field, a offshore gas field in Venezuela
People
*Perla (singer) ...
*
Badiyadka
Badiyadka officially known as "Badiadka" (also known as Perdala") is a town and gram panchayat in the Kasaragod district, state of Kerala, India.
Badiyadka is a panchayath in Kasaragod Taluk in Kasaragod District of Kerala, India. It is loca ...
*
Kanyana
Kanyana is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India.Village code= 2706600 Kanyana, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka It is located in the Bantwal Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka. The majority of the population are Hindus, C ...
* Anekallu
*
Manjeswar
Manjeshwar is a town and a minor port in Kasaragod district at the northern tip of Kerala. It is situated at a distance of from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, north of district HQ Kasaragod and south of Mangalore city in neighbou ...
* Sodankoor
References
{{reflist
Villages in Dakshina Kannada district